Chapter 8

*Branch's POV*

Laying in bed, branch awoke with a lazy yawn. Stretching his arms to relieve his slightly sore muscles. Was last night a dream? Did that really happen? He thought to himself. No sooner he asked himself these questions, a pink hue could be seen in the corner of his eye, turning his head to the side. Looking in front of him, he sees poppy facing him, still sound asleep with light breathing. Happily smiling to himself, he reaches out to tenderly graze her cheek with his thumb. It was no dream. Both relief and happiness burst into his chest. He did it. He finally did it. He told her his feelings, and she didn't turn him away. He was still surprised she actually loved him as well. He then remembered the transgressions that took place that night. It was the most amazing night he could have ever thought to happen. He never would have thought that he would ever get to kiss the lovely princess, let alone make love to her. Branch could feel his face begin to burn. He enjoyed remembering the acts they preformed. He look upon her, sleeping so soundly as if she were under a spell. Even in her sleep, she was as lovely as a spring rose. Being careful not to wake her, he slowly leaned forward to kiss her on the forehead. Poppy lightly sighed from his kiss, but remained asleep. At first he was going to get dressed, but since they were the only ones there, what was really the point?

Silently sliding from the bed, branch made his way to the kitchen area. He felt his mouth was like a desert after the amount of fluids they used during their sex session. Grabbing a glass of strawberry juice he quickly gulped it down with a light pant afterwards. His mouth felt much more comfortable. Thinking to himself, what was the best way to wake his princess? Kisses? Hugs? Lightly teasing her body? No, he had another Idea. 

Poppy slowly opened her eyes, still blurry and a tad bit hazy, she rubbed them sleepily. Opening her mouth to a wide yawn. Stretching her arms and legs, letting out a light whimper. She was a wee bit cramped up, last night had really done her in. Laying spread out on the sheets, she couldn't help but giggle gleefully. Her first time, romantic and heartfelt, with branch of all trolls. She still couldn't wrap her head around his confessions. She recalled to emotions that were present on his face. All the expressions. His fear of rejection, his honesty, his acceptance, his strength. Waves of happiness flowed within poppy. For all this time, she was someone's happiness. And never even knew. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her stomach growling. Inhaling deeply, she could smell the same scent of earth and water, but also the scent of sex in the air from last nights flair. But there was also something else lingering in the air, something new. She inhaled deeply, taking the smell in. It was food!

Poppy leaped from bed, a tad bit wobbly since her muscles were still somewhat like jelly. But quickly composed her form. Thinking the same way as branch, she figured there was no need for clothing since he lived alone, and he lived underground. It was actually rather refreshing to walk with no clothes on. Walking around to the kitchen area, she could smell the robust scent of ash and wood. Along with something sweet lingering afterwards. It was enticing to her. Finally coming up to the kitchen, there she saw branch. Hutched over his homemade stove whipping away at whatever he had in the frying pan before him. Watching him for a moment, she couldn't help but feel a content sigh followed by a soft smile spread across her face. He was preparing breakfast for her? This was the sweetest thing to wake up to.

Branch was steadily cooking a meal for the two, not noticing that his lovely partner has risen from her slumber. Before he could make any changes to the meal, he felt warm arms wrap around his waist and a small forehead bury itself into his back, cooing softly as she kissed his back in between his shoulder blades. He let a smile slide open. "Good morning pop, did you sleep well"? he asked her as he turned to face her, removing the pan from the stove, transferring it to the counter. "I don't think I've ever slept better in my life, to be honest". She wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning in for a kiss. Branch slid his arms around her waist, admiring her curves and her body pressed against his. 

 Their lips touched tenderly. Soft movements collided them for a few brief moments, before both trolls let out satisfied sighs. Parting the kiss, poppy's curiosity has her fixated on what he is cooking. "What'chya cooking there branch"? She asked him. "Pancakes. I have a syrup that's homemade from strawberries too". He says to her as he prepares a plate for her, following his second. Poppy was delighted, no one had ever made her breakfast before. And strawberry syrup? Absolutely her favorite. She lightly shrieked excitedly. Branch gestured for her to take a seat at the table, as he presented her with fresh breakfast. "Dig in pop". He says, handing her the plate of steamy pancakes, soon after sitting alongside her. Poppy eagerly took her first bite, the sweet taste of the strawberry syrup paired beautifully with the fluffy yet thick pancake. She was actually surprised at how well they were made. Even she couldn't cook this good. Which in turn, made her a tad bit jealous. "MMmmm, my gosh these are so good! I never thought you'd be this good at cooking. I can't even cook like this". She said as she stuffed her face. "Oh, so THAT'S why you're thin"? he snickered sarcastically. Earning a light smack on the shoulder. He chuckled to himself as he took a few more bites. Poppy had already finished more than half of her plate, when she glanced over and just watched branch for a few moments. Still smiling to himself, even when he was eating. She thought to herself, How much she loved his smile. It brought her joy to see him smiling. She looked at his body, from head to toe, entranced by his light blue skin. She was glad he got his colors back, even though she was just as content with him as he was before.

Branch could feel her eyes on him, he glances over to see her bright magenta eyes, half opened and smiling sweetly. She said nothing. He scanned over her face, her lovely shade of pink, seemed to be even brighter this particular morning. "W-what? Did I get some syrup on my chin or something"? He joked. She shook her head with a giggle, "No, no, I was just thinking how glad I am. That you finally got your colors back, and that I finally get to see that handsome smile". She cooed gently. Branch felt flushed around his cheeks. He knew he was blushing again. His chest burst with butterflies when she called him handsome. That was one word he was not accustomed with. Poppy's smile slowly faded away as she asked herself one question. Just HOW exactly did he lose his colors? What could have happened to him? She didn't want to push buttons, but she also wanted to know. Maybe if she asked gently, it wouldn't upset him. 

"Hey.....Branch"? She said in a hushed voice. "Yeah? What is it poppy"? Branch asked as he was about to take another bite of his meal. She looked down to her palms momentarily out of hesitation. But since she already had his attention there was no going back really. "How......did you lose your color"? She asked delicately. Branch stopped the moment before the fork reached his mouth. Closing it slowly. A saddening frown crept its way across his lips. She instantly regretted that question. Her heart dropped, seeing his face like this. Full of hurt, sadness and reluctance. She felt awful, like she just put salt on his wounds. "I-I'm so sorry branch, never mind, you don't need to answer, I shouldn't have asked you before you were ready....". Sulkily hiding her face from him, she started to get up from her chair when branch took her hand. She was startled, to see that a single tear slid down his cheek. "No, it's ok pop, it's about time that you knew. Please, sit back down"? He asked her polity. Without missing a beat, she sat without question. He took a long breath before he hesitantly began his story. "The day I lost my colors, was the day I lost something very important to me. It was a bright and sunny morning, Me and my grandmother rosiepuff were tending to her flower patch. She was pruning her flower bed and I was humming a song tom myself while helping her. She plucked a rosebud for me. Telling me it was my "Microphone". She loved it when I sang with her, she said it made the heavens dance". He said to her in an almost breathless manor. Poppy sit at her chair, awaiting the rest of his story with great anticipation, but with patience. "So, naturally, I took the rosebud and started to sing for her. I started singing, and was so focused, that I hadn't even noticed the dark shadow surrounding me, or my grandmothers voice. I was so concentrated on those verses, I didn't hear my grandmother calling my name, warning me about the bergen that was right behind me". He paused as he winced at his memory. The look alone broke poppy's heart. She wanted to comfort him, but she wanted to wait until he was finished, so a gentle placement of her hand on top of his had to suffice. Branch took her hand willingly, grasping it softly in his fingers. "I didn't know until last minute that it was right behind me. My grandma warning me to watch out. I hardly had enough time to fully turn around to see the bergen when she pushed me out of the way. The bergen took her instead. I fell off of the tree branch and landed on clovers as she was being taken. I could hear her screams fading as it walked away with her in its hands. I watched it take my grandmother away from me. And I was powerless to do anything". Another tear leaked from the corner of his eye. Poppy felt her heart drop. She had no idea that he had been through something  so horrible. She gently wiped the tear away with her thumb. Caressing his cheek. He held his hand against hers, grateful for the comforting gesture. "If I hadn't been singing, if I had only paid attention, I.... wouldn't have killed her......I...I haven't sang a song ever since". 

That did it for poppy. She couldn't bare to hear him blaming himself for what happened. She rushed to him. Embracing him with her warm grasp. Tightly hugging him while stroking the back of his head, kissing his forehead sweetly, fighting back tears of her own. As much as she fought, she lost. A few tears crept from her eyes, slowly slithering their way down her cheeks, dripping onto branch's forehead. Branch looked up in confusion. Why was she crying too? He didn't understand. She knelt down to his side, cupping his face in the palm of her hand as she looked into his eyes. Could it be that she could feel his pain as well? "I'm so sorry branch....I had no idea that you had to go through all of that alone. But please don't blame yourself. There's no way that you could have known. Your grandmother loved you so much that she chose to sacrifice herself so that you could live.  From the time she was with you, I think she raised you to be a very resourceful, smart and caring person. I know that you make her proud, branch, I know I am". She finished her statement with such softness that you could almost hear your blood pump through your veins. Her heartfelt words and sweet smile warmed his heart and soul. The fact she believed that his grandma was proud of him, made his heart fill with so much joy and comfort that he could hardly fight back any more tears.

 He rose from his chair, wiping away his tears, then held poppy tenderly. Thanking her for being there for him, he needed to let that story out. As much as he was hurting from past memories, he felt an enormous weight lifted. With her help, he was finally able to find true happiness and finally let go of the past, as well as learn what happiness itself was. She was willing to stand by him all these years, even if he tried to push her away. She never gave up on him, even when he was mean or distant. She always saw the good in him. Never waning from her need to help him find a way to smile, always including him. She was his strength, his heart, and his world. He loved her so much it almost hurt. He loved her, before he could even love himself. He cradled her body in his arms, saying nothing. There was no need to. She understood. She was glad that he finally let out all of his pain, all of his anguish. He pulled away, looking down at her beautiful face, still gleaming from tears on her cheeks. She felt his pain, understanding his fears and concern. He wiped her tears away. Practically mesmerized by her gorgeous face, radiating a bright pink sheen. He slowly came closer, pressing his lips against hers. Relishing her soft velvety lips and the taste of strawberry. If there was any moment he didn't want to end. It was now. The two trolls embrace for several minutes, before parting with huffed sighs. "I love you  poppy....Thank you so much....". He said to her happily but softly. Confused as to what she could have possibly done to get a 'thank you', she cocked her head to the side. "For what, branch"? She asked, still confused. 

He smiled gently, "For giving me strength".

End of Chapter 8